London Beat: Colonial History Frames New Film

Marco Rubio, the U.S. Secretary of State, delivered a key foreign policy speech on Saturday, emphasizing the United States' desire to revitalize its relationship with Europe. Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, Rubio stated that the U.S. and Europe share a long history and "belong together," a message seen as an olive branch by some European leaders.

Rubio's speech occurred amidst strained U.S.-European relations, influenced by previous actions. He highlighted the intertwined destinies of the U.S. and Europe, referencing the two world wars of the 20th century. "We want Europe to be strong," Rubio said, according to Time.

In other news, NPR reported on February 14, 2026, about the legacy of the British Empire in London. NPR's Lauren Frayer, who arrived in London after years in India, has been covering Britain with this historical context in mind, according to NPR.

Additionally, Presidents' Day, a federal holiday honoring George Washington, was discussed by Time. Observed on the third Monday of February, the holiday is marked by patriotic events and reflections on the presidential office's origins. Lindsay Chervinsky, executive director of the George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon, told Time that Presidents' Day is "a really good opportunity to reflect on the origins of the presidential office."

Finally, Variety reported on the production of "Wuthering Heights," detailing how filmmakers used Margot Robbie's skin to create wallpaper for the film. Production designer Suzie Davies was excited to work on the project, having experience with period dramas.